Splint-setting mechanism for match-machines



J. P. WRIGHT.

SPLINT SETTING MECHANISM FOR MATCH MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 27, K919.

Patented Oct. 28, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET] Tl lE COLIJMBIA PLAKOGRR'PH 50.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

J; P. WRIGHT.

SPLINT SETTING MECHANISM FOR MATCH MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21, 1919. Patented Oct. 28,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.Tn/cniaw J. P. WRIGHT.

SPLINT SETTING MECHANISM FOR MATCH MACHINES.

Patented Oct. 28, 1919.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 27, @319.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

5:52, WASHlNOTDN. out

* UNITED srnrns PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB r. WRIGHT, or BARBERTON, OHIO, assienon T0 THE DIAMOND MATCH,- COMPANY, or oHIoA'eo, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

SPLINT-SETTING MECHANISM FOR MATCH-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 28, 1919.

Application filed February 27, 1919. Serial No, 279,527.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it'known that I, JACO P. VVRIGHT, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Barberton, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Splint-Setting Mechanism for Match-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of match making machines, termed set and dip machines, in which splints are ejected row by row from a hopper or magazine by a setting or inserting mechanism and delivered thereby to an endless traveling carrier which conveys them through appropriate dipping and drying paths. My invention has especial reference to certain improvements in the machine forming the subject of Letters Patent of the United States N 0. 1,000,223 dated August 8, 1911; which machine comprises a grooved setting head reciprocative beneath the splint hopper and toward and from the carrier, and an oscillatory splint-supporting frame which is maintained normally under the splint-eXit-end of the hopper and against the forward end of the head by means of a'spring connection, wherebv during the stroke of the head toward the carrier the frame is positively swung forwardly and downwardly a quarter-turn, or substantially' so, to permit the positioning of the head in splint setting re lation to the carrier, and whereby during the back stroke of the head the said frame is yieldingly returned to its position beneath the hopper. The said patentedmachine also comprises a clearing comb which is movable into and from the splint-receiving grooves of the setting head, whereby broken and short splints are removed from the grooves during the rearward strokes of the head; which comb is positively raised by 'cam-actuated connections and is -yieldingly depressed by a spring connection; provision being had whereby the comb is temporarily locked in raised position, against the action of the spring, when the setting head is rendered temporarily idle during the continued operation of the match carrier.

My present invention embodies means for positively operating the oscillatory splintsupporting frame during the reciprocation of the setting head; and also mechanism for positively reciprocating the comb during the operation of said head; which mechanism is of such construction that the motion of the comb is discontinued when the setting head is idle and the match carrier is active; all as will be hereinafter describedand claimed. J

In the drawings 1 Figure 1 is a side elevationcf a part of a match machine embodying my invention,

the splint-setting head being shown in its outer or rearward position. 7

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the setting-head and its associated parts showing their relative positions when the head is advanced.

Fig. 3 is a detail, in plan, of one of the rearward corners'of the. setting-head, the adjacent slide bar therefor and its guide, a part of the head being shown in section to expose one of the bolts for detachably securing said head to the slide bar.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section, as on the line 414 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a skeleton perspective of the setting-head and its supporting and operating parts, showing the cam-actuated lever and latch mechanism for the clearing comb. In this view the oscillating splint-supporting frame is omitted. e

.Fig. 6 is a sectional perspective of a portion of the settinghead, and adjuncts, showing the locking bolts retracted and the head released from its slide bars.

-Referring to the drawings, 10 designates a part'of the framework of a match machine; 11 a splint supply hopper thereon, and 12 a part of an endless match carrier comprising a chain of perforated plates having rack-teeth 13 with which mesh gear-wheels 14 that are driven through suitable gearing from the main shaft 15 of the machine. A V setting-head 16, which is reciprocative beneath the hopper and toward and from the carrier has a grooved upper surface adapted to receive the splints row by row from the hopper and inser their projecting ends into the succeeding rows of perforations of the carrier. The splint receiving grooves extend from end to end of the head and correspond in number and spaced relation with a' transverse row ,of perforations in the match carrier. In the forepart of the head,

for a distance somewhat less than the length 1 the deeper grooves, a shoulder or abutment, which, in the forward stroke of the head, advances such splints to and forces them into the row of holes opposed thereto in the match carrier. The deeper grooves are indicated at 17 and the shallow grooves at 18.

The head is slidingly fitted to horizontal guide ways in the sides of the main frame and is detachably coupled to parallel slide bars 19 which are mounted to reciprocate in suitable guides on the main frame. These slide bars have crank-rod connections 20 with gear-v-Jheels 21 in mesh respectively with similar wheels 22 on the main shaft. The connection. between the head and the slide bars comprises a pair of bolts 23 which are slidingly fitted to guide ways in the underside of the head so as to be movable into and out of locking engagement with opposing recessed portions 25 of the respective slide bars. The inner ends of the bolts are connected by means of oppositely-disposed links 26 to a crank-disk 27 on a depending hand-piece 28 carried by the head; whereby wnen the hand-piece is turned in one direction the bolts are shot into en gagementwith the slide-bars 19, and when turned in the opposite direction a reverse action is had to disengage the bolts from the slide bars and thus permit the latter to reciprocate idly.

An oscillatory frame structure is mounted to swing through an are extending beneath the splint-exit portion of the hopper and toward the carrier, concurrently with the reciprocation of the setting-head, the horizontal upper portion 29 of said structure being adapted to support the forward ends of the splints while they are being ejected from, and while the leading end of the head is under the exit portion of the hopper. As the head with its row of splints advances toward the carrier the frame is swung substantially a quarter-turn to permit the head to travel above the frame and into sufficiently close relation to the carrier to insert the projecting ends of the splints into the latter.

The parts thus far described are, excepting as hereinafter pointed out, substantially similar in construction and operation to the corresponding elements set forth in Patent No. 1,000,223 aforesaid.

According to my present invention I connect the oscillatory frame directly to the setting-head by appropriate transmitting means which insures a positive and easy swinging movement of said frame by 'and during the reciprocation of the settinghead; whereby said head and frame can be efficiently operated at a higher speed than formerly. In this instance the transmitting means comprises two counterpart pairs of links 80; one pair being arranged adjacent each end of the frame. These links are pivoted at a to a bracket 31 on the underside of the head, and are extended forwardly beneath and beyond the upper portion 29 of the frame, their forward ends being upwardly curved and pivoted at b to forwardly extending lugs 32 on the oscillatory frame. Thus the pivotal points 6 are on a higher plane than the points a and are above and forwardly of the axis (3%) of oscillation of the frame, which axis is so disposed that in the initial forward motion of the said framethe splint-supporting portion thereof exerts a slight lifting action on the superposed splints, and then such portion as it leaves the hopper begins to swing downwardly away from the splints. By virtue of the described link connection the frame, during the initial period, travels uniformly with the setting-head, and thereafter, as the forward movement of the head continues, the travel of the frame is gradually retarded until the frame reaches its downward position. The relative positions occupied by the setting-head, the splint supporting frame, and the link connections therefor, when the head is at the limits of its back-- ward and forward movements, respectiveiy, are clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2..

Mounted directly above and transversely of the setting-head is a comb comprising a bar 36 having vertically depending pins 37, or teeth, which correspond in number, size and spaced relation with the splint-supporting groove 17 of the setting-head and aradapted by actuation of the bar to be moved into and out of said grooves at intervals. The comb-bar, which is slidingly supported in a guide structure 38 arranged directly in the front of the hopper, is provided with projecting end studs 39 to which are pivotally connected the lower horizontal arms of bell-crank levers a0 fulorumed on the respective ends of the hopper. The upstanding arms of the crank-levers are connected by means of links 4.1 with the upper ends of rock-arms t2 rising from a rockshaft 6L3 which has its bearings in sui bl disposed brackets 4% on the main f time. Pursuant to my present invention the re shaft 43 is positively actuated through suit able connections from continuously rotate ing cam 25, during the reciprocaticns of the setting-head, in order to insure more ra id and eiiicient concurrent operations of head and comb than formerly; which shaft can nevertheless be rendered inactive when the head is idle, even though the said cam and the driving mechanism of the machine be in operation.

The cam L5, which is fast on the main shaft 15 of the match machine, is provided with a closed race i6 with which is engaged a stud or roll 47 on one arm of a rock-lever 48. This lever is pivoted, as at 9, to an arm 50 fast on one end of the rock-shaft the operation of the match machine.

43; the other arm of the lever terminating in a latch-engaging tail 51 overhanging the rock-shaft. Loose on the rock-shaft is an upwardly inclined latch member 52 having a locking projection 53 which is held normally engaged with the tail of the lever by means of a retracting spring 54: which is secured to the latch member and to the free end of the rock-arm 50; thereby temporarily locking the lever to the rock-arm. Hence during the continuous rotation of the cam a5 the lever and its associated rockarm are moved as a unit, the rock-shaft 43 thus being actuated to effect the positive reciprocation of the clearing comb. The contour of the cam-race is such that when the setting-head is making its back stroke from the match carrier, the comb is lowered at or about the time the inner shouldered portion of the grooves 17 is directly under the teeth of the comb, which teeth thereupon enter such grooves and remain therein until the head has completed its back stroke, thus expelling all splints or pieces of splints from the grooves. The cam-race then effects the raising of the comb and maintains it in position a sufiicient interval of time preparatory to a succeeding descent into the grooves.

By the above-described construction it will be seen that when the latch member is disengaged from the tail of the lever l8,

the latter is idly oscillated on its pivot 4&9 on the rock-arm; said arm and the rockshaft43, together with the comb, thus being unaffected by the operation of, the rotatmg cam.

Means are provided whereby the latch member is automatically disengaged from the lever when the splint-setting head is independently thrown out of action during In the present instance, the latch member is connected by means of a link 55 to an arm 56 fast on a rock-shaft '57 having its bearing in a bracket 58 on the main frame. Fast on this rock-shaft is an Lip-standing arm 59 the upper end of which lies directly beneath and adjacent one side of the settinghead. The arms 56, 59 and their shaft 57 constitute, in effect, a crank-lever. The locking bolt on the side of the head, adjacent the arm 59 is provided with a depending tappet lug 60 which is so positioned that when the head is locked to the slide bars 19 the lug, during the reciprocation of the head, passes laterally of and escapes the upper end of the arm 59, but when the "bolts are disengaged from the bars, the lug 60 is in alinement with said arm. The bars are provided adjacent their recessed portions 25 with lugs 61 which are adapted to bear against and effect the forward stroke of the setting-head when the latter is unlocked; thus insuring the movement of the head to its advanced position adjacent the match carrier. During such forward movement of the unlocked head the lug 6O impinges against and partially turns the opposing arm 59, thus swinging the arm 56 and efie cting the disengagement of the latch member from the tail, of the oscillating lever. The arm 59 thus constitutes, in effect, a trip member for the latch. When the setting-head reaches the limit of its forward stroke it comes to rest, thus locking the arm 59 in retracted position and maintaining the latch member disengaged from the lever in opposition to the action of the springs Consequently the rock-arm 50 and its shaft 43 are stationary and the lever 48 is idly rocked on the arm by the cam, as previously mentioned, until the set ting-head is again locked to and retracted by the slide bars.

It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the specific details of construction herein shown and described, as the same may be modified within the principle of my invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a match machine, the combination of a traveling carrier, a splint-hopper adjacent thereto, a splint-setting headmounted to reciprocate directly beneath said hopi per, means for actuating said head, an oscillatory splint-supporting element movable through an are extending beneath the splint exit portion-of the hopper and toward the carrier, and positive transmitting means connecting the setting-head to said element and so constructed and arranged that said element is swung toward the carrier and below the path of the head during the splintsetting stroke'of the head, and is returned to its position beneath the hopper during the return stroke of said head.

2. In a match machine, the combination of a traveling carrier, a splint-hopper adjacent thereto, a splint-setting head mounted to reciprocate directly beneath said hopper, mean for actuating said head, an oscillatory splint-supporting element movable through an arc extending beneath the splinteXit portion of the hopper andtoward the carrier, and positive transmitting means element, for reciprocating said comb, an oscillatory member, means for positively actuating aid member, and means for temporarily locking said member to the rock element.

4. In a match machine having a traveling carrier, a splint-setting head provided with grooves adapted to receive a row of splints and transfer them to the carrier, means for actuating said head, and a clearing comb for the said grooves, means, including a rock element, for reciprocating said comb, an oscillating member, means for positively actuating said member, a latch for temporarily locking said member to the rock element, and means, including a tripping member, for moving said latch into and out of looking relation to the oscillating member, locking and releasing devices between said head and its actuating means, and a tappet adapt ed to be positioned in operative relation to the tripping member when the said devices are shifted to release the setting-head.

5. In a match machine having a traveling carrier, a splint-setting head provided with groove adapted to receive a row of splints and transfer them to the carrier, means for actuating said head, and a clearing comb for the said grooves, means for moving said comb into and from said grooves at predetermined intervals comprising a rock-shaft, operative connections between said shaft and comb, a roclearm fast on said shaft, a lever pivoted on said arm, a cam for positively oscillating said lever, and means for temporarily locking said lever to the rockarm.

6. In a match machine having a traveling carrier, a splint-setting head provided with grooves adapted to rece've row of Splints and transfer them to the carrier, means for actuating said head, and a clearing comb for the said grooves, means for operating said comb comprising a rock-shaft, operative connections between said. shaft and comb, a rock-arm fast on said shaft, a lever pivoted to said arm, a cam for positively oscillating said lever, a latch member for temporarily locking said lever to the rockarm, and means, including a trip member, for moving said latch member into and out of locking relation to said lever; locking and releasing devices between said head and its actuating means, and a tappet adapted to be positioned in operative relation to the trip member when the said devices are shifted to release the settingdiead.

7. In a match machine having a traveling carrier, a splint-setting head provided With grooves adapted to receive a row of splints and transfer them to the carrier, means for actuating said head, and a clearing comb for the said grooves, means for operating said comb comprising a rock-shaft, operative connections between said shaft and comb, a rock-arm fast onv said shaft, a lever pivoted to said arm, a cam for positively oscillating said lever, a latch member for temporarily locking said lever to the rock-arm, a spring normally holding said latch member in looking position, a crank-lever, a connection between one arm of the latter and the latch member, locking and releasing devices between said head and its actuating means, and a tappet adapted to be positioned in operative relation to the other arm of the crank-lever when the said devices are shifted to release the settinghead.

8. In a match machine, the combination of a carrier, means for impelling the same, a splint hopper, a splint setting head provided with grooves to receive a row of splint from the hopper and transfer them to the carrier, means for actuating said head in cooperative relation to the carrier, a clearing comb. for said grooves, mechanism for actuating said comb comprising a lever, means for positively reciprocating said lever, and releasable connections, including a trip member, for said lever and comb, looking means whereby said head may be engaged with or disengaged from its actuating means, and a tappet movable with the head and adapted to be shifted into the path of said trip member when the locking means is positioned to release the head.

Signed at Barberton, in the county of Summit, and State of Ohio, this 17th day of February, A. D. 1919.

JACOB P. WRIGHT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for iive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner, of Patents,

Washington, D. C. I 

